The Lion's Cub

The Philalexandros Chronicles #1

by L.M. Zorn

The beginning of a relationship that would change the world…

Alexandros, a prince of Macedon, has been a pawn in his parents’ battle for power from his earliest memories. His whole life in the cut-throat world of the royal court has been spent walking the knife edge of their warring demands, balancing his duty to King Philippos’ legacy with his obligations to his mother Olympias and her fierce ambitions, rarely seen as a person in his own right. While tending his horse, he has a chance encounter with Hephaistion, a boy from the back hills who says exactly what he thinks and who sees Alexandros in a way no one else ever has.

Hephaistion arrived for training at the Royal Page School in Pella with one goal: to make his father proud. But the maddening boy he unceremoniously meets on Pella’s training fields turns Hephaistion's world upside down. Alexandros is exceptional in every way, and unlike anyone he has ever met before, and their close friendship drags Hephaistion into the world of the royal court where intrigue, infighting, and politics put their lives on the line.

Hephaistion is unprepared to find himself so close to the heart of the royal household, and Alexandros is reluctant to put his complete trust in anyone after growing up surrounded by treachery.

As they navigate the dangers of the court and the world around them, a relationship born out of chance becomes the foundation of an empire. Their friendship marks the start of a journey beyond the bounds of the world they know, beyond even any world they could imagine, and into legend.

Genres: Historical Fiction, M M Romance, Historical, Fiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 23, 2021

About the author

L M Zorn has been interested in history forever, especially the Really Old Stuff. They grew up reading the myths and stories of Ancient Greece and Rome, and never grew out of it. They are competent at both archery and horse riding, though not at the same time, and they are very impressed by people who are. At university (in the previous millennium) they studied, among other things, history and classical studies, and have since then been fortunate enough be able to travel to many of the places in this series. They live on a rural property on Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island, with a pack of dogs, too many chickens, freeloading horses who know when they’re on to a good thing, and a partner who holds it all together.

Reviews

[Amara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my partner's book, so of course I'm biased 🥰

That said, I really enjoyed how grounded in time and place this novel feels, and how the relationship between Hephaistion and Alexandros is central to the story but not the focus of it. The background characters are deftly drawn, and there is a good balance between what is happening in Hephaistion and Alexandros' lives, such as going hunting or studying with Aristotle, and the geopolitical events that are shaping their world. The relationship between Hephaistion and his parents is an interesting contrast with the relationship that Alexandros has with his own parents.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho, la traductora dijo que es autoconclusivo pero a mí no me lo parece, así que esperaré impaciente la próxima parte.

[Rogue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.2
Amé que no fuera solo el tema romántico y metieran estrategia y política, porque al hablar de Alejandro es necesaria toda esa parte. Ahora, realmente me hubiera gustado más desarrollo en los personajes y la relación.
Eso sí, está escrito de manera más que aceptable.

[Kellie Hedgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've done a lot of reading about Alexander the Great, both on an academic level, and a historical-fiction level, and I greatly enjoyed this book! I found all of the characters to be fleshed out and compelling--every character makes an impression, no matter how small the part. Characters like Aristotle, Parmenion, Philip, Olympias. Nearchus, Harpalus, and Ptolemy all have distinct personalities. And the relationship between Alexander and Hephaistion is so well-written! That slow development from friendship to total love and trust is perfect, and I loved how the author managed to pack a lot of drama into the narrative without making it feel overly melodramatic-- a definite page-turner! And I also found the author's clear knowledge of the source material and of ancient history to be of great benefit to making the book an immersive experience--there are long conversations about ancient Greek politics, geography, sexuality, and religion that all go a long way toward making the environment, events, and characters feel real and consequential. Very glad I read this book, and greatly looking forward to the next installment!

[RjS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I’ve been entranced by Alexander since reading ‘Fire from Heaven’ at a formative age. This novel traces familiar ground but does it well. I enjoyed the emphasis on Hephaestion and his view of events. As he is portrayed as a bit of an outsider it gives the author the perfect opportunity to explain things to the reader. Her overview of the history, people and places seems secure and is persuasive. I hope she continues with her descriptions of the things Alexander sees. I value a sense of place in a book. The supporting characters are clearly differentiated. It is interesting to see later events being foreshadowed and I am really looking forward to the next books in the series.

[kelios · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS IS REALLY WELL-WRITTEN BOOK.
I enjoyed reading it so much. Ive read several Alexander The Great books, and The Lion’s Cub definitely has become my instant favourite! Hopefully the series continues. There are several other books that focus on Alexander and Hephaestion relationship during their childhood, but none after Alexander became a king that are well-written. So i hope i can look forward to this series.


My only complains are;
I need this book in paper form and i cannot wait for 2nd book! :D

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

heads up: that 4-star rating is in fact closer to a 4.5 because i loved this book so much! similar to dr. reames's "dancing with the lion" series, it deals with the beginnings of the relationship between alexander the great and his best friend, hephaestion, from the time they were teenagers studying under aristotle in mieza-- and will, presumably, continue in the philalexandros chronicles, perhaps until the end of their shared history. i would say although i loved both in different ways, this book is less academic than dr. reames's, less focused on explaining to the readers the intricate details that made ancient macedon what it was-- something my nerdy brain loved from the DwtL series-- but more focused on the characters and the story-- something my writer heart adored. and still, it doesn't shirk on the research at all and still manages to make the setting FEEL like ancient macedon in a truly immersive way. it doesn't completely ignore the goings-on around the two boys, either, weaving in and out of the greater political maneuverings of the greek and middle-eastern city-states which i imagine will take on greater importance once alexander and hephaestion grow into adulthood, and alexander becomes king.

alexander and hephaestion feel younger in this one, but in a good way. it's friends-to-lovers with all the innocence of first love, and it is just absolutely adorable. i was "awww"-ing all over the place. and while i'm normally not patient enough to enjoy a super slow burn, this one really did build me up and up and up until the romantic tension was finally satisfied. not something you'll normally hear from me, but it worked exquisitely in this book. i think this might include my favorite first meeting between the two of them, and there are no words to express how much i loved zorn's alexander-- granted, he's still young and hasn't made many mistakes or delicate decisions, but this is pretty much exactly how i've pictured young alexander in my mind, just a little blond ball of boundless curiosity and enthusiasm and confidence, though not without his insecurities. i love hephaestion as well, but this version of alexander just owns my heart. (and big-brother!ptolemy, too!)

i really hope zorn is still working on this series because i am most definitely hooked for the long run. i wish i could have book two in my hands right now.

[Dalay Felizzola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me pregunto el porqué este libro no es más conocido, está bien escrito, bien estructurado y tiene buenos personajes. Llegué a este sin expectativas y la verdad es que me gustó mucho.

La narrativa cae sobre distintos personajes, pero mis partes favoritas fueron en dónde esta les pertenece a Hefestión y Alejandro, se complementan divinamente, su dinámica es fenomenal y el desarrollo de su relación está muy bien logrado. Ambos cuentan con un crecimiento sólido y aunque seguir la política por momentos se me complicaba, esta es parte crucial para entender quién era Alejandro Magno.
Otra de mis partes favoritas fueron las clases con Aristóteles, sin duda se prestan para reflexionar y para discrepar, claro.
Ah y no pude pasar por alto las menciones a mis hijos, Aquiles y Patroclo, los ojos se me llenaron de lágrimas inevitablemente. Mi corazón les pertenece.

Sentí que por momentos el ritmo del libro decaía, había capítulos enteros dedicados a una discusión, aunque lo capítulos eran cortos y eso siempre lo hace ameno, no pude evitar aburrirme en más de una ocasión. Sin embargo, es una historia con mucho potencial que espero continúe.

[Mar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrativa descriptiva y afable, llena de metáforas encantadoras, las descripciones son etéreas. Con un desarrollo de personajes excepcional y una muy buena creación de contexto. Diversas perspectivas muestran la personalidad de Alejandro y Hefestion, además de contextualizar, se tiene una visión general del ambiente que los rodea.
El romance va lento, avanza a poco a poquito, y vas enamorándote de/con ellos, Hefestion es esa voz de la razón, ese personaje leal y prudente, mientras que Alejandro puede llegar a ser impulsivo, arrollador, pero firme en sus ideales. Ambos se complementan y esos últimos capítulos me dejaron con ganas de saber más.
El único "pero" que puedo ponerle es la descripción de batallas, cuenta en lugar de mostrar, aún así, estoy ansiosa por saber más de ellos.
Un libro que recomiendo.

[DominiqueMS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable write of the youth of Alexander the Great. The historical aspects were well donde and I liked how the relationship with Hephaestion was build, slow but special and full of trust since the beginning. You can feel their connection and the tension and a lof of things.

Also, it is very good it isn't just romance but a view of the complexity of that time. Pretty good book.

[Nayely · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sin embargo, sabía que estar cerca de Hefestión era como sentir el sol en su piel después de un largo invierno y que estar separado de él se sentía como un dolor amarillo sordo, como presionar sobre un moretón. Sabía cuál prefería. Quería el sol."

[Sonia Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

It surpassed my expectations! I really enjoyed it, waiting for book #2

[dianxiaeri · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute

[Mason Cruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one, a worthwhile read if your looking for a Alexander and Hephaestion romance. there is some minor Grammer issues but nothing to major. I enjoyed the story a lot

[CrisM · Rating 4 out of 5]

**3'5**
El libro me ha gustado. Me parece que está escrito de forma increíble, te hace meterte de lleno en la historia y sentir lo que sienten los personajes.
Me gustó mucho que no fuera sólo una historia romántica, si no que hablara sobre temas políticos e históricos.
Me hubiera gustado ver un poco más de la relación de Alejandro y Hefestión, pero el desarrollo de ella me gustó, los personajes me encantaron, y estoy deseando la segunda parte!!

[Arcel Valencia · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿Cómo me vas a cortar así el libro? Necesito más.

Título: The Lion’s Cub
Autora: L. M. Zorn
Serie: The Philalexandros Chronicles #1
Géneros: Ficción histórica, romance MM, ficción

Este libro nos cuenta la historia del príncipe Alejandro y su relación con Hefestión, pero más allá de su amistad, explora aspectos clave de su vida: su formación como discípulo de Aristóteles, su aprendizaje como futuro rey y su papel como peón en los juegos de poder de su madre.

Me vendieron esta historia como un romance, pero lo cierto es que el romance es solo un elemento secundario dentro de una trama cargada de intriga política. Hay múltiples puntos de vista a lo largo de la novela, aunque mis favoritos fueron los de Alejandro y Hefestión. La forma en la que se complementan es hermosa, su relación está llena de ternura y no pude evitar enamorarme de ellos en el proceso.

Uno de los aspectos que más disfruté fueron las descripciones estratégicas, aunque me hubiera gustado que, si se hablaba tanto de la guerra, también se mostraran más escenas de batalla.

En definitiva, recomiendo esta historia, especialmente a quienes disfrutan de la ficción histórica con un trasfondo político sólido y una relación central bien construida.

[Lidiane Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Em primeiro lugar, estou sempre procurando algum livro novo sobre Alexandre Magno e foi uma grata surpresa com este livro. Eu gostei de tantas coisas, a começar pelas caracterizações, mesmo personagens que aparecem pouco estão muito bem representados como Amyntor, Olímpia, Filipe e todos os companheiros de Alexandre. Mas sem dúvida, o mais interessante foi Alexandre e Hefestion, a amizade que surge aos poucos e vamos acompanhando a evolução desse sentimento. Gostei particularmente da personalidade que a autora deu para Hefestion, ele é firme, leal, orgulhoso, íntegro. Não é alguém que fica à sombra de Alexandre. É fácil ver porque Alexandre o amava.
Enfim, um livro que se lê rapidamente, empolgante, bem escrito e que merece ter uma continuação, pois só temos até a adolescência de Alexandre. Gostaria muito de ver como a autora retrataria esses personagens nos acontecimentos futuros.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's so GOOD I want to give it a 100, but that's no possible so I give it FIVE STARS

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written exploration of Alexander the Great and Hephaestion's youthful relationship. Really enjoyed the focus on how his parents' conflicts would have influenced the young prince's anxieties and how his personality was balanced by Hephaestion's. Also, the various descriptions of horses added to the sense of realism (I am no judge, but they felt very authentic). Looking forward to the next book!

[Alex Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read!!!! Okay so I can't ever resist an Alexander the Great novelization. It's such a great story, especially the devotion between Alexander and Hephaestion... like the BEST fan fiction fodder. Loved this version--looking mostly through Hephaestion's point of view.
I don't want to spoil anything that the author does unique in this retelling -- but I will say that it tapped into a view of Philip that I found super interesting.
I really can't wait to read the next in this series!

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read, with great detail on Alexander's highly conflicted relationship with his parents and a long drawn out romance-arc between our MCs (almost until 80% mark in fact!). Still ... given this is a projected series of books and with Alexander reaching about 16 years of age at book's end, readers should be strapping in for a longish-ride.